Wondering if anybody has ever had trouble with a 5″ hole when ice fishing crappie and bluegill, like fish getting stuck or not fitting through the hole. Is a person better off with a 6″ hole. I am talking about hand auger only.
It also de panda what depth are you fishing. For really shallow water I would go with a 5 just because light penetration. But in deeper water I would go with anything above 8 just incase you hook into something big.
Never know when you are gonna catch that next record flathead, better stick with drilling 2-10″ side by side. 
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Never know when you are gonna catch that next record flathead, better stick with drilling 2-10″ side by side.
Lots of things will fit through a 10″ hole and they’ll fit going down just as well as a fish will fit coming. Just sayin’.
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Never know when you are gonna catch that next record flathead, better stick with drilling 2-10″ side by side.
Lots of things will fit through a 10″ hole and they’ll fit going down just as well as a fish will fit coming. Just sayin’.
I recall a pair of favorite plastics that might not fit down the hole, but I can’t find the pic. 
For Panfish I have used 5 inch this entire year. I can fit most pike that I catch on panfish gear through that hole too
You could go to 6 inch too. I like 6 better than 5 or 8. If I were buying one today I would buy a 6 inch. Panfish have a harder time turning around in the hole if you lose them at the surface of the water.
Only time I like bigger then a 6 is when I am using a flasher with a float on the transducer cable. Since I have a Marcum that is not a problem. I think a 5″ hole is perfectly but prefer a 6.
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Wondering if anybody has ever had trouble with a 5″ hole when ice fishing crappie and bluegill, like fish getting stuck or not fitting through the hole. Is a person better off with a 6″ hole. I am talking about hand auger only.
I have not had a fish not fit through a 5″ hole yet. I got a 14.5″ crappie that I had to squeeze through though. 5″ers are great for panfish.
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Only time I like bigger then a 6 is when I am using a flasher with a float on the transducer cable. Since I have a Marcum that is not a problem. I think a 5″ hole is perfectly but prefer a 6.
I agree. With the float in the hole, it does get crowded. But, if you take it out each time, it won’t actually kill you. I use an 8″ just because that’s the size of my used auger.
Same reason I run a 8″. Its what the auger came with. Think Im going to be looking at a 6″ replacement since all i fish is panfish and like to drill a lot of holes. Not sure if Im ready to take the jump down ot 5″ or smaller.
I use a 9 inch hole and wouldn’t change it. Love the size.
8″ will be ok for anything except maybe a world record. If you’re shallow, leave some slush in the hole to block some light.
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Never a problem here on the back waters of the Mississippi River…
Myself and friends have pulled 9″ gills and up to 13″ crappies thru a 5″ hole…
Even sevral LM Bass up around that 16″ mark….
Dave’s being too modest – check out the 15′ pie he popped out of a 5″ hole! – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAaiTYyJ8cI
A 6 inch hole is the perfect size for panfish but does start to freeze in quickly in our recent cold weather.
I also run a 6″ 
5 & 6″ in shallow water and first ice. Deeper water crappies and sub zero hole hopping is a 10″. Since I’ve gone to the 10 this year, I really regret not doing it sooner
I use the 5 inch hole almost all the time,unless I haul the power auger out….. 
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